The Karnataka Government constituted a six-member committee representing the heads of hospitals from Bangalore to suggest views on improving the quality of healthcare services offered in the 16 government hospitals in and around Bangalore, based on a directive from the state High Court.

Dr. Shalini, joint director, health and family welfare, heads the committee. Dr R. Devi Prasad Shetty, managing director, Narayana Hrudayalaya, Dr. A S Hegde, head of the Neuro Surgery department at the Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Dr. M Munireddy, Mallya Hospital, Dr. CS Hanumanthappa, director and head, Jaynagar Public Hospital and Dr. M Maiya, head, Maiyya Multi Speciality Hospital are the other members of the committee. The committee has to submit a comprehensive report to the court on or Before September 30, 2005. As per the court directive, the government has fixed a total sum of Rs 50,000 as honorarium to the five members, except for the chairperson, for rendering their services.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Nauvdip Kumar Sodhi and Justice KL Manjunath had directed the government to form the committee, following a petition filed by one B Krishna Bhat. The complainant elaborated the pathetic condition of the government hospitals in Bangalore. The Court directed the committee to inspect all the hospitals run by the government and its autonomous bodies and to ascertain the serious shortcomings in various aspects of hospital management.

Pointing out that the bed strength in many government hospitals has remained static since their inception, the court had said the committee should look into this aspect and suggest the likely requirement in increasing bed strength. Further, the committee should assess whether timely and adequate supply of drugs is maintained to meet the requirements of the patients visiting these hospitals.

The committee will also look into the ways and means to improve the quality of services to make these hospitals more acceptable to the common people. The committee's suggestion should be in such a way that the government could implement them in a phased manner.

The bench would hear the matter on 4th October to study the suggestions of the committee.